Clinton Holds On for Statement Win in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Clinton LumberKings (2-1) used a four-run 3rd inning and a steady bullpen effort to outlast the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes (2-1), 8-6, on Thursday night at Robin Roberts Stadium.

Clinton matched Springfield hit for hit with 11 apiece but capitalized on two Horseshoe errors and timely offense to open Prospect League play with a victory, giving the Lucky Horseshoes their first loss of the season.

Trailing 2-1 in the 3rd, Brett White tripled home two runs and scored moments later on a Sam Wiese single. James Hackett capped the rally with an RBI base hit to make it 5-2.

Wiese finished 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI. Alex Schimmel also reached base three times, drove in a run, and swiped two bags.

On the mound, Payton Hodges (1-0) picked up the win in relief, allowing two earned runs over three innings. Jackson Bruno pitched a perfect 9th to earn his first save.

Springfield's Nolan Decker homered in the 6th and scored three times, while Jack Swaney and Enrico Veach each drove in runs. Starter Maddox Quesnelle (0-1) took the loss, charged with five runs — four earned — across three innings.

Clinton returns home Friday to host the Burlington Bees at NelsonCorp Field. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. for the first of a three-game weekend series.